Reformation, Religious Wars, and Baroque Europe: Key Figures, Events, and Art

Alsace and Lorraine

Regions in the Holy Roman Empire, often contested between France and Germany, religiously divided during wars of religion.

Anabaptists

Radical Protestant group who believed in adult baptism, separation of church and state, and communal living; persecuted by both Catholics and Protestants.

Artemisia Gentileschi

Italian Baroque painter known for dramatic works like Judith Slaying Holofernes, often depicting strong women.

Baldassare Castiglione

Author of The Book of the Courtier (1528), a Renaissance guide on how nobles should act with grace and honor.

Baroque Art

Dramatic, emotional, and ornate 17th-century art style used by the Catholic Church to inspire faith.

Bartholomew Diaz

Portuguese explorer who rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, opening the sea route to Asia.

Calvinists

Followers of John Calvin who emphasized predestination, strict morality, and God's sovereignty.

Carnival

Festival before Lent with feasting, costumes, and role reversals; often criticized by reformers.

Catherine de Medici

Queen mother of France, influential in the French Wars of Religion; authorized the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

Catholicism

Branch of Christianity led by the Pope; emphasizes sacraments, Church authority, and tradition.

Charivari

Public shaming ritual used to punish social norm violators.

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor (1519-1556) who tried but failed to stop Protestantism.

Christian Humanism

Movement combining Renaissance learning with Christian faith, emphasizing Church reform through education.

Concordat of Bologna

1516 agreement giving the French king power to appoint bishops while recognizing papal authority.

Council of Trent

Catholic council (1545-1563) that reformed abuses and reaffirmed Catholic doctrines during the Counter-Reformation.

Death of the Consul Decius

Roman story of self-sacrifice, often used in Renaissance/Baroque art.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Bernini's Baroque sculpture of St. Teresa in mystical vision, symbolizing Catholic spirituality.

Edict of Nantes

1598 decree by Henry IV granting Huguenots limited religious freedom.

El Greco

Spanish painter known for elongated, mystical religious figures.

Erasmus

Dutch Christian humanist, author of In Praise of Folly, called for Church reform but stayed Catholic.

French Wars of Religion

1562-1598 conflict between Catholics and Huguenots, ended with the Edict of Nantes.

German Peasant's War

1524-1525 revolt inspired partly by Reformation ideas; crushed with Luther condemning it.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Italian Baroque sculptor and architect, creator of Ecstasy of Saint Teresa and St. Peter's Square.

Gustavus Adolphus

Swedish king who led Protestants in the Thirty Years' War; brilliant military leader.

Henry III of France

Last Valois king of France; assassinated during Wars of Religion.

Henry of Lorraine/Duke of Guise

Catholic League leader, rival of Henry of Navarre; assassinated in 1588.

Henry IV (Henry of Navarre)

First Bourbon king of France; converted to Catholicism but issued Edict of Nantes.

Holy Roman Empire

Loose confederation of states in Central Europe, divided during the Reformation and Thirty Years' War.

Huguenots

French Calvinist Protestants, persecuted during the Wars of Religion.

Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits; promoted education and Catholic missionary work.

Index of Prohibited Books

List of banned works by the Catholic Church to stop heresy.

Indulgence

Pardon for sins sold by the Church; abuse sparked Luther's protest.

Jesuits

Catholic religious order (Society of Jesus) dedicated to education, missionary work, and defending Catholicism.

Johann Tetzel

Dominican friar famous for selling indulgences, prompting Luther's 95 Theses.

John Calvin

Protestant reformer who emphasized predestination and strict discipline.

John Knox

Scottish Calvinist reformer who founded Presbyterianism.

Judith Slaying Holofernes

Artemisia Gentileschi's painting of Judith beheading an Assyrian general.

La querelle des femmes

"The woman question" debate about women's roles in early modern Europe.

Mannerist

Artistic style after the Renaissance with elongated figures and emotional tension.

Martin Luther

German monk who launched the Protestant Reformation by challenging Church authority.

Ninety-Five Theses

Martin Luther's 1517 list of complaints against indulgences and Church corruption.

Peace of Augsburg

1555 treaty allowing German princes to choose Lutheranism or Catholicism for their territory.

Peace of Westphalia

1648 treaty ending the Thirty Years' War; allowed Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism.

Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish Baroque painter known for dynamic, colorful works.

Phase I: Bohemian Phase

First stage of the Thirty Years' War; Catholic victory over Protestants in Bohemia.

Phase II: Danish Phase

Catholic victory over Danish Protestant armies.

Phase III: Swedish Phase

Gustavus Adolphus revived the Protestant cause.

Phase IV: French Phase

Catholic France fought Catholic Habsburgs to weaken their power.

Philip II of Spain

Catholic king who sent the Spanish Armada to England.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Flemish painter of peasant life and moralistic scenes.

Pope Paul III

Pope who launched the Council of Trent and supported the Counter-Reformation.

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God has already chosen who will be saved.

Priesthood of all believers

Protestant idea that all Christians can directly access God without priests.

Primacy of Scripture

Protestant belief that the Bible is the ultimate religious authority.

Protestantism

Christian movement opposing Catholicism, started by Martin Luther.

Public Whipping/Branding

Harsh public punishments used to enforce discipline.

Puritans

English Protestants influenced by Calvinism, sought to purify the Church of England.

Queen Elizabeth I

Protestant queen of England; established Anglican Church; defeated Spanish Armada.

Roman Inquisition

Catholic tribunal to investigate and punish heresy.

Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

1572 slaughter of Huguenots in France, ordered by Catherine de Medici.

Salvation by faith alone

Protestant doctrine teaching salvation is received through faith, not works.

Secular laws

Civil laws created by governments, not the Church.

Spanish Armada

1588 naval fleet sent by Philip II to invade England; defeated by Elizabeth I.

St. Teresa of Avila

Spanish mystic and reformer, known for visions and writings.

Stocks

Wooden punishment device used to humiliate prisoners.

Opening of the Fifth Seal

El Greco's painting depicting martyrs' souls, reflecting religious turmoil.

Thirty Years' War

1618-1648 conflict starting as Catholic vs. Protestant but turning political.

Thomas Müntzer

Radical reformer who inspired peasants in the German Peasants' War.

Ursuline Order of Nuns

Catholic order focused on education for girls.

Vernacular Bibles

Bible translations into local languages, spreading Protestant ideas.

War of the Three Henrys

French conflict (1587-1589) between Henry III, Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre.